A blog by Dr Lin Day

About Lin

Dr Lin Day

Founder of multi-award award winning Baby Sensory, Dr Lin Day (PhD, M.Phil, PGCE, BSc, Dip Ed, SRN), is one of the UK’s leading parenting experts and a renowned author within the field of childcare and education. Lin has over 35 years of practical experience working with parents and children. Away from work, something that happens not enough if you ask husband and lifelong colleague Howard, she is a doting grandmother, obsessed with her terrier Bow, and currently enjoying a new chapter in life of setting up a second home in Northern France.

During the first few weeks of our baby’s life, it felt
like time suddenly stopped still. The 12-week milestone everyone kept raving
about when things apparently get easier felt like an eternity away, and every
challenge seemed to last forever.

My daughter’s first birthday was probably one of the
only times we were awake before her, waiting eagerly for her to get up. I don’t
know why we were so excited to see her little face, it would’ve been just the
same as the day before, and the day before that. But this was the first time
we’d see her as a one-year-old.

Before, Moo* had been “x-days old”, then “x-weeks”,
finally “x-months”. But now, quite simply, she was “one”. And it suddenly
sounded so grown up.

It’s a
mother’s prerogative to go overboard

As a first-time mum, I found it hard to work out how
to celebrate our little cherub’s first birthday. I’d never done this before, so
gauging what to spend on a present, what to do for a party and who to invite
were all mysteries to me.

After confident declarations of “we won’t do much –
she won’t even understand”, we did the exact opposite. Moo ended up having not
one, but three, birthday parties, three birthday cakes, and a whole host
of gifts.

We had a birthday party with her friends (aka our friends’
children), one with her NCT baby pals, and one with family. Of course, each
party needed a separate cake, decorations and activities, and there were
presents galore.

I still (perhaps naively) claim that this was a unique
birthday – her first one! Therefore, it’s only natural to go a bit overboard
and get excited, right? But I can’t help but feel there will be many more
birthdays to come that are met with the same enthusiasm as her first.

Reminiscing
about last year

Of course, Moo’s first birthday wasn’t just special
because it was such an important milestone in her life. It was also significant because it brought me back to the
events of last year – her birth.

I found it so poignant to recall the days leading up
to labour, knowing our lives would change forever but not really understanding
how. And then as soon as she was born, it was like we’d never been without her.

She’ll probably tell me to “shutup mum” when she’s
older and I’m trying to tell her the beautiful story of her birth every year on
her birthday. But I still find it moving – from the speedy labour and being
rushed in a wheelchair to the delivery suite, to being told she’s a girl by my
husband and holding her in my arms for the first time.

All of it was difficult, painful but amazing. And
that’s probably one of the main reasons us mums all go a bit mad over our
babies’ first birthdays. Because it reminds us of such a phenomenal point in
our lives, and all the amazing changes that have occurred since.

Seeing the
years fly by

In the end, our baby girl becoming one was a huge
turning point for us. Not so much for Moo, who had already been walking and
chatting away for a couple of months.

However, for my husband and I, this was the first time
we could see the years fly by in front of us. Instead of feeling as though time
had paused and the weeks were passing ever so slowly, like they did in the
beginning, it suddenly dawned on us we’d be preparing for her second birthday
before we knew it.

And now as I spend my weekends learning how to bake a
Peppa Pig cake and trying to throw a special (albeit much smaller) celebration
for Moo as she turns two, I realise we were totally on the money.

In the UK, Mother’s Day traditionally falls
three weeks before Easter Sunday. It is an occasion to thank Mums for their
love, care and support throughout the year.

Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 40
countries. Although there may be cultural variations, mothers are usually
honoured with flowers, cards, gifts and special gestures of attention. Dads may
cook, clean and look after the children, allowing mums to relax and enjoy the
day as a special ‘Thank you’.

Mother’s
Day origins

Mother’s Day can be traced back to the
ancient Egyptians, who held an annual festival to honour the goddess Isis, the
‘Mother of the pharaohs’. In Rome and many other societies, honey cakes were
eaten and flowers were given in honour of the ‘Great Mother’ goddess Cybele.

With the development of Christianity, people
honoured the Virgin Mary by returning to the church in which they were baptized
on the fourth Sunday in Lent. In the late 15th century, the practice became
‘Mothering Sunday’. It was later widened to enable working mothers to be
reunited with their families. The tradition of celebrating motherhood
eventually blossomed into what we now know as ‘Mother’s Day’.

Here are a few ideas that can make Mother’s
Day enjoyable for Mums and the whole family.

Planning

To ensure that the occasion is an enjoyable
and memorable one, planning and preparation are vital. According to retailers,
Mother’s Day is the second busiest period after Christmas, so allow plenty of
time for shopping. Mother’s Day is also a busy time for amusement parks and
restaurants and advance booking is therefore essential. Long distance calls
also peak on Mother’s Day, so keep the telephone handy.

Breakfast
in bed

Start Mum's day with breakfast in bed served
with a bunch of spring flowers. Smiley pancakes, heart-shaped toast, or a slice
of Simnel cake, accompanied by a cup of tea, her favourite book or magazine
will give Mum the chance to relax, or maybe open her cards and gifts.

Babies and toddlers won’t feel left out if
they have their own pretend food, dishes and cups. Besides being good fun,
pretend play develops imagination and it encourages problem-solving and
exploratory skills. Young children will happily fill up the dishes with
food, match lids to pots and pretend to feed their teddy bears. They may even
end up feeding Mum while she relaxes in bed.

Household
Chores

On Mother’s Day, the whole family can help
with the chores. Young children love dusting, but if Dad tickles them with a
feather duster, it is even more fun. Mums will appreciate the quality time that
Dad spends with the family, even if he does things his own way.

Junior chefs may be able to prepare a meal
and wash up the dishes, but leave the knives and glasses for Dad to clean.
Babies can help by sorting out the measuring cups, pots, pans and spoons. If it
turns into a noisy musical activity, Dads are going to want to join in.

School-age children may be ready for more
difficult chores under Dad's supervision. Having a ‘job card’ can motivate them
and if they are praised for being so helpful, they will want to help again.
This gives the family more time to play and have fun together.

Giving Mum the day off will show her how
special she is. Whether it involves emptying the washing machine, putting away
toys, preparing lunch boxes for school the next day, brushing teeth, making the
beds or doing homework without being asked, Mum will enjoy the break. It will
also give the children the chance to model adult behaviour, which is good for
their development, and it will give the whole family more time to have fun
together.

Gifts

It is traditional to thank Mums for their
love and care with a gift. There is nothing that mums like more than a creation
that has been lovingly made. This could be a paper bracelet decorated with
hearts and flowers, dried lavender or soap wrapped in muslin and tied with a
ribbon, a family photograph in a homemade frame, a friendship bracelet or a
hand decorated mug that Mum can use everyday. Young children will be inspired
to try out some creative, imaginative ideas and mums will feel loved and
valued. When the children see Mum smiling, they will know that their efforts
have been worthwhile.

A box filled with paper and ribbons and
balloons make an original gift on Mother’s Day. The box, and its contents, will
keep babies and young children happily entertained for hours. When the box is
transformed into a pirate ship, a train or a robot costume, Mum and
Dad get to see the world from their child's point of view.

Voucher

Mum may like a gift card so that she can
select the perfume or jewellery that she wants. However, a ‘help’ voucher,
which includes promises to wash up on Monday, a foot rub on Tuesday, setting
the table on Wednesday, or good behaviour all week, will be appreciated even
more.

Flowers

In the UK, a bunch of spring flowers,
violets, carnations or roses are traditional Mother’s Day gifts. Other popular
flowers include orchids, which come in different colours, shapes and sizes.
Alternatively, a bouquet of paper or tissue flowers will encourage the children
to try out their creative skills and provide a lasting reminder of the
occasion. Whichever flowers or plants Mum receives, she is sure to love them.

For an unforgettable experience, take Mum to
a romantic flower garden or to a garden fair or nursery, where she can choose
her own arrangements or plants. Stroll around the lawns and finish off with
afternoon tea. Everyone will enjoy the sounds, colours and scents of spring.
The fresh air, exercise and sunlight will also ensure that the children sleep
soundly at the end of the day.

Outings

One of the best Mother’s Day gifts is
spending quality time with the family. Ideas might include a trip to the zoo or
beach, a nature ramble, a cycle ride through the countryside or a walk through
a wild-flower meadow. End the outing with lunch or afternoon tea in Mum’s
favourite pub or restaurant. If the outing is carefully planned and packed with
entertaining things to do, it can be a wonderful experience for the whole
family.

If it rains, visit a museum. Children will
enjoy looking inside an Egyptian mummy or finding out how mothers did things in
the ‘old’ days. Most museums offer activities for children of all ages from
interactive games and puzzles to quizzes and touch screens. While young minds
are happily occupied, Mum and Dad can spend some quality time together.

Older children will enjoy indoor skydiving
and bungee jumping or being orbited around in a giant plastic ball. If Mum and
Dad join in with the activities, children will know that their parents are fun
to be with.

Picnic

A picnic hamper filled with mouth-watering
food from smoked salmon to gourmet cheeses and chocolate truffles will be a
special treat for Mum. The children can prepare heart-shaped biscuits and
sandwiches and Mum will enjoy sampling the finished products. Dad can supervise
the preparation to ensure that the play is safe.

Take Mum on a woodland picnic. The sun
filtering through the trees will be a memorable sight. The children will enjoy
exploring and they will burn off excess energy and sleep better at night, which
gives Mum and Dad a chance to enjoy quality time together. If it rains, lay out
the picnic on the living room floor.

Family
photograph

Have the camera charged and ready to capture
the occasion. Mum will keep the photographs along with special cards, homemade
gifts and other Mother’s Day mementos. When Mum looks through the memories, she
will reminisce about the day when she felt so special.

A
special treat

Although it may not be possible to take Mum
to Paris, pamper her with an evening meal complete with French food, twinkling
lights and French music playing in the background. The children can make the
decorations, set out the table and help with the washing up. Themed bunting,
plates and table decorations will add to the ambience, and Mum will appreciate
and treasure the occasion.

Pampering

At home, Mum and daughter can indulge in a
make-over followed by hair styling. A relaxing foot massage will make Mum
feel really pampered, but the children may want one too. Touch is good
for their physical and emotional well-being and for healthy brain function.
Children usually feel very relaxed after a massage and it makes them sleepy.

Bubble
bath

Treat Mum to an anti-stress bubble bath
complete with scented candles or LED T-lights, and put on her favourite music.
An inflatable bath pillow will provide the ultimate in comfort, although Mum
may not want to come out of the bathroom.

Children will also find bath time to be a fun
experience. They will enjoy tasting the water, making bubbles and listening to
the sounds that they make when they pop. Make sure that the bath water is not
too hot. A temperature of 38 degrees centigrade is ideal for babies and young
children.

At the
end of the day

At the end of the day, cuddle up with Mum
under a quilt and watch her favourite DVD together. Chocolate-covered
strawberries and popcorn will go down well with the whole family. Simply giving
up time to be with her will make Mum feel loved and valued.

Snuggling up with a book provides a perfect
opportunity for parent-child bonding. Babies and children will enjoy the
closeness and warmth that naturally occurs during the activity. They will love
listening to the sound of Mum or Dad’s voice, which has a positive effect on
language development.

Put on a calming piece of music or a lullaby.
It will help babies and children to relax and drift into peaceful sleep at the
end of a busy day. Mum and Dad can then put their feet up and enjoy the evening
together.

Shopping

If you are looking for great books, music,
bubbles and fun toys to keep your baby or toddler entertained on Mother’s Day, visit
www.babysensoryshop.co.uk

Finally….

With a little planning, Mums will feel loved
and appreciated on Mother’s Day. Best of all, the whole family will enjoy
quality time together, which has a positive impact on relationships and all
aspects of development.

January has a lot to answer
for – the post-Christmas blues, Dry January madness, wobbly bellies that can no
longer be excused for ‘mum tums’ thanks to all those Quality Streets, and
people going on a diet everywhere you turn. There’s also something else that’s
very miserable about January. The weather.

While I’d normally avoid the
bitter winds and nasty rain by staying indoors, it’s a different story when
you’ve got a baby. Try as you might not to leave the house, it is totally
unavoidable… with the freezing weather bringing even more challenges when it
comes to motherhood. Thanks, btw.

-
Facing the frost

I remember in the hazy first
few months of Moo’s* life I spent all the time walking around. I must’ve trampled
miles every day, with my worn-out legs going for hours in an attempt to get her
to nap.

To be fair, it was probably
really good for me – exercise and fresh air and all that. But boy am I glad a
lot of time spent outside was when the frost was beginning to thaw and spring
was coming to life.

Having said that, Moo was a
February baby so, like every winter mum knows, there were many days braving the
freezing chills to take her for a walk so she’d sleep. In fact, you’d recognise
other mums on their own little ambles around the area, wrapped head to toe in
thermals and a snood so far up their face, you can only see their eyes.

Sometimes the struggle to
get out of the house at the crack of dawn when it was icy outside was enough to
convince you to stay in instead – but then when those tired screams start and
there’s no way they’re going to nap in their moses basket / swing / bouncer /
sling / lying on your arm like a damn tiger, that’s when you deeply regret your
decision to choose warmth over walking.

-
Wrapping up

There are so many guidelines
when it comes to wrapping your baby that when we first took Moo out, we were at
a complete loss. Presented with vests (both short and long-sleeved),
sleepsuits, mittens, cardigans, snowsuits, hats and blankets, we didn’t know if
we should just pile them all on or if this would cause her to overheat, which
is really dangerous for a newborn.

As someone who always feels
the cold, I favoured the layer-on approach, whereas my husband – who can
happily wear shorts in October – was the opposite. Eventually, we worked out
what was right for our little angel – and as long as she slept snugly in her carrycot,
we were all happy.

- Getting ready to go out

Getting ready to leave the
house has always been a challenge, although a constantly changing one. At the
beginning, there were the “let’s get out of the house to stop her crying even
though we haven’t showered or eaten yet” conversations, then it involved trying
to squeeze her into a snowsuit when she just wanted to roll around, and now it
is a game of chasing my almost two-year-old around the house while bargaining
with her to put on her shoes, coat, gloves and hat.

As a summer girl, I hate all
the paraphernalia that comes with dressing for winter and can’t wait till I can
shove all the hats, coats, gloves, scarfs and wellies away for the year, but
it’s even worse when you’ve got a baby.

Not only do you need to add
extra time when leaving the house, you have to constantly undress when you arrive
anywhere. This is particularly the case when they’re little and you have a relentless
fear of not wanting them to overheat, while also not wishing to wake your
soundly sleeping baby up.

For me, by the time I’ve
wrestled on outerwear for the fourth time that day, it’s time to call it quits
and have a cup of tea inside instead – Pa, if only!

-
Toddler fun

The only thing more
challenging than wrapping up a baby for the winter – with the long frosty walks
and endless concerns about temperature control – is dealing with a toddler in
the freezing cold weather.

I’ve already mentioned the
difficulties of getting ready, but at this stage, you can forget about layering
up – she takes it all off when we get out of the house anyway. I assume she
takes after her dad when it comes to not feeling the cold.

What’s more, thanks to Peppa
Pig, my little girl is a big fan of splashing in muddle puddles, and while I
encourage her active and adventurous nature, it doesn’t make it any easier when
she then has to spend the day in wet tights.

Only the other day, she got
covered head to toe in mud at the park and, even though I should know better by
now, I forgot to bring her splash suit or any replacement clothes for her to
change into. Doh.

So whether they’re a newborn
or an energetic toddler, winter is no easy time for parents. Roll on summer, I
say. At least then you only have to remember sun hats, sunglasses, shades,
parasols, suncream, aftersun, water, more water….

I’m a huge fan of Christmas. You know, one of those people who are itching to bake Christmas goodies and tuck into a tin of Roses once the BBQ has been put away. So it’s safe to say I couldn’t have been more excited about our baby girl’s first Crimbo.

I even had all the ‘My First Christmas’ signs ready, and bought her very own Christmas jumper before she was born!

But what no-one told me was babies don’t stop being challenging just because it’s Christmas Day – something we found out the hard way.

Awake at 5am – for the wrong reasons

The Christmas before last I was heavily pregnant, and I couldn’t enjoy an afternoon glass of sherry, a mulled wine, or a cheeky Amaretto with my cheese – I couldn’t even enjoy cheese! – so I was really looking forward to being able to eat and drink what I wanted at Moo’s* first Christmas.

And while I certainly tucked into pate, soft cheeses, and boozy puddings, unfortunately I couldn’t appreciate late nights or too many drinks because my little angel was still keeping me awake at all hours.

At 11 months old, Moo had been sleeping through for a while, but we were struck down with the most trying of afflictions – teething!

That’s right, with sky-high temperatures, incessant screaming and endless syringes of Calpol, we were in a full-blown teething nightmare.

So, I kissed goodbye to late nights watching Christmas films and evenings out with friends, as I knew I would be up with my poor baby whose gums were red raw. And comforting her with a mulled wine hangover didn’t appeal, strangely enough.

Days in = cosy or cramped?

Her teething only escalated on Christmas Eve, which is usually my favourite day of the year. I love the anticipation of the next day, and even if you don’t do anything, it’s great to simply see family and friends and spend the day baking, cooking and wrapping. Right?

Well, since I’ve had a baby, I’ve quickly learnt staying in the house is far harder than leaving it – especially with a poorly baby. Even if I wanted to have fun preparing for the next day, it’s near impossible to do anything with a child permanently attached to your hip. Try wrapping while bopping them on your knee, desperately keeping the scissors out of their way. Or chopping vegetables as they’re pulling on your tights. Or chatting to loved ones with a mince pie and a cup of tea when they’re forever reaching for the scalding drinks.

Of course, there is always the respite of naptimes. But the teething nightmare put paid to Moo’s naps, which meant we were all knackered by the time Santa was meant to be making his rounds. In fact, as she spent all Christmas Eve crying, any festive-themed activity we had planned simply fell by the wayside.

What Christmas traditions?

This included introducing her to our new family traditions – from leaving out mince pies for Santa to giving her a gift to open on Christmas Eve and tracking the sleigh around the world – which I had spent months looking forward to.

But what with the teething drama and the fact you still have the normal routine to stick to, we totally forgot to do anything of it.

It was only once she was tucked up in her cot sleeping soundly after a day of upset and pain that we realised we hadn’t given her the present or left out treats for Rudolph and his pals.

Despite how much I had looked forward to Christmas Eve, it was just another day for Moo, complete with dinner times, milk feeds, naps, bath and bed. She had no idea what the fuss was about and didn’t have a clue what the next day was to bring.

All better for Christmas Day!

And neither did we, for this year we got everything we wanted for Christmas. Two beautiful pearly white teeth.And a happy, cheery baby.

In spite of the stress of the previous day, Moo was back to her old self once her teeth had broken through, and loved all the excitement of Christmas Day – the unwrapping, the toys, the crazy hats and the delicious foods. She had no idea what was going on, but enjoyed every minute of it.

I had built up Moo’s first Christmas so much in my head it was hard to realise it may take years for it to be the all-singing, all-dancing occasion I longed for. We hadn’t gone to a carol concert, watched a Christmas movie or baked mince pies together. She didn’t appreciate the advent calendar I stitched when I was pregnant, seeing Santa Claus reduced her to tears, and it took days to open her presents, as it was all so overwhelming.

But it was still hands down the best Christmas ever – even with all the tears, pain and sleepless nights.We may not have done all the lovely festive things we had planned, but the best part is knowing we have all that to come.

And I, for one, can’t wait for December 25th to roll around so we can create some fab memories of her second Christmas together.

At 8 weeks-old, Bow bounced into my life and I fell in love
with her. But she wasn’t meant for me. Bow was to be Howard’s new friend and
companion.

Howard has always had dogs downsizing from elegant Great
Danes to a fun-loving family Labrador, and intelligent, working collies. And
then Katie had her own dog, ‘Tug the terrier’, who simply bulged with
character. After we lost Tug, work took us away from home and we decided to
wait a few years before bringing another dog into our lives. Four years later,
Howard found Bow. But as she nestled into my arms on the homeward journey from
Manchester to Salisbury, we bonded forever.

The puppy stage doesn’t last very long so we made the most
if it. During Bow’s critical learning period (8 to 19 weeks), we went to puppy
school together. Bow learned good manners, how to play with adults, children
and other dogs, and how to respond to commands. Only patience and kind
techniques were used to train her. I am sure this is why Bow is so gentle and
loving and likes nothing more than being part of our family.

Bow is capable of intense feelings. Although I rarely leave
her, our reunion lasts 20 minutes and she cries with emotion. Right now, she is
curled up on my lap knowing that I am writing her blog. Her waggly tail gives
everything away. She is also licking my hand furiously.

We have celebrated 2 Bow birthdays and each year, she has a
new red collar. The one that Bow is wearing now is decorated with sparkly bows
and her name. To celebrate Christmas this year, Bow has a new red and gold
starred bow!

•Special talents: sniffing out lost toys, and waiting
patiently for ‘Mr. Taupe’ to appear from his French molehill.

•Places travelled: all over the UK and France.

•Fears: loud bangs (fireworks), and objects that are out of
context. For example, a man carrying a fishing rod or an empty car seat sitting
on the pavement.

The love and fear of losing Bow makes me think that she
should have puppies. One I shall keep, but then there’s the worry of finding
loving homes for the others. I already have names for her puppy - Bear or maybe
Fox?

When I asked our 9 year-old granddaughter Ellie to sum up
Bow, she said:

“I love Bow so much because she is very pretty, has silky,
floppy ears, loves kissing and she is very cute. She is a joy to have in our
family!”

Bow means the world to me and I wanted her to look her best
for the photograph. It was well worth the three hour trip to see our expert
Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense photographer, Mark Fletcher, who was very
sensitive, caring and kind. You can contact Mark at mark@photo-sensory.comor 07714 797730 or www.photo-sensory.com

Bow’s red and gold starred Christmas bow arrived in a
beautiful box from Tracy at the Distinguished Dog Co (www.theddcompany.com). Bow loves it and
so do I!

We wish you
a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year.

Christmas is celebrated in
many countries, although each one has its own traditions that have passed from
generation to generation or have just evolved naturally over the festive
season. For many cultures, Christmas is a religious festival that celebrates the
birth of Jesus.

Traditions such as the Christmas tree, decorations and lights, the
sending of cards, a special meal with family and friends, and the giving and
receiving of gifts are common to most cultures.

UK, USA

In the UK and USA, the
Christmas season starts in early November, when the lights are switched on in
the major cities. In anticipation of Christmas, children may open the 24 doors
of the advent calendar; one for each day of December leading up to Christmas
Eve.

As Christmas approaches,
children may post letters to Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas) and
participate in a Nativity play. They may see Santa at a preschool party or look
forward to his arrival on Christmas Eve, when their stockings will be filled
with gifts while they sleep.

Other traditions include
the exchange of presents and a Christmas Day meal that may consist of turkey,
Christmas pudding and mince pies. During the meal, crackers may be pulled,
jokes told and paper hats worn. Party games and television are traditional
activities, followed by evening tea, which may include Christmas cake and other
treats for the whole family.

Australia, New Zealand

In the Southern hemisphere,
Christmas occurs during the height of the summer. Snow-covered cards, decorations,
Christmas trees, mince pies, Christmas pudding and crackers are a traditional
part of the celebrations. Santa arrives on Christmas Eve in much the same way
as the UK.

Denmark

Preparations may begin in
November when decorations appear in the shops. After the meal on Christmas Eve,
the family may sing and dance around the Christmas tree, followed by present
giving. Santa (‘The Yule Man’) is said to arrive on a reindeer-driven sleigh
with presents for the children.

France

Christmas is a religious
festival for many families, who decorate their homes with Nativity scenes and
attend Midnight Mass. Father Christmas (Père Noël) may bring gifts and sweets
for the children on December 6th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. The children
place their shoes by the hearth to find them filled with gifts on Christmas
Day.

Germany

On 6th December, Saint
Nicholas may visit preschools (kindergartens) and schools. On Christmas Eve,
Saint Nicholas or a sprite-like child (known as ‘Christkindl’), places the children’s
presents under the tree. Carols may be sung around the tree before the presents
are opened.

India

Nativity plays are staged
in many schools, followed by the appearance of Father Christmas (‘Christmas
Baba' in Hindi), who may distribute presents from a horse and cart. Days before
babda din (the big day), the shops and markets will be decorated with Christmas
trees, images of Santa Claus and colourful balloons.

Italy

Christmas is celebrated in
much the same way as other Western European countries, but with a strong
emphasis on religion. Gifts may be placed under the Christmas tree, either by
Santa or Baby Jesus, to be opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Japan

Although 25th December is
not a religious holiday, the occasion is celebrated with parties, Christmas
trees and Christmas cake. On Christmas Eve, presents are left on the children’s
pillows and adults exchange gifts.

Mainland China

In mainland China, 25
December is not an official holiday, although it may be privately celebrated with
presents, cards and stockings. During the month of December, Christmas trees
and other Western practices are found in many homes.

Poland

In Poland, children
participate in Nativity plays and religious services. On Christmas Day,
everyone exchanges a wafer of religious significance before eating traditional
foods such as beetroot soup (borscht), carp and fruit. The children give out
the presents and they may dress up as characters from the Nativity and go carol
singing.

Russia

Christmas Day is a
religious event celebrated on 7th January. In the home, there may be a
Christmas tree and presents for the children from ‘Grandfather Frost’, who
represents Peter the Great, and his granddaughter the ‘Snow Maiden’.

South America

Religion dominates the
Christmas period, with particular emphasis placed on the Nativity and the
family, although Western traditions have also been adopted in some countries.
Christmas Eve is an important time for the religious element of Christmas and
children may stay up until midnight to open their presents. In Venezuela, the
Wise Men (known as the ‘Magi’) leave gifts by the children’s beds.

As soon as I clocked off
work for my maternity leave, I began to look forward to the groups I could
attend with my soon-to-be-born baby. I loved the idea of leisurely carrying
him/her in their car seat to and from baby massage, baby yoga, fitness and
music lessons, smiling in the knowledge that their mind was expanding as they
absorbed all these fantastic interactive classes.

But I didn’t quite
appreciate that sometimes – especially at the beginning – it wasn’t as easy as
it looked.

In fact, only a few days
after becoming a mum, I realised baby groups may be a long way off, as even
just leaving the house seemed tantamount to climbing the Himalayas!

Our
first group – Finally getting out and about

Admittedly, Moo* was only
three weeks old when I took her to her first baby group. In hindsight, I can
see she was still only a little dot, but at the time I felt I had endured 21
days of being relatively housebound and I was itching for people to see and
things to do.

I know what you’re thinking
though, what can a baby really learn at three weeks old? Well, our first group
together was baby massage, a free class run by our local Sure Start Centre. So
really it was an opportunity for me
to pick up skills, not my little angel who spent most of the course feeding or
crying if I took her clothes off.

At the beginning, I was
really conscious that I barely did much massaging during our sessions as Moo
was always tucked under my top, but I came to realise that none of that
mattered. I really came to see new faces, talk to people, complain about colic,
and have a structure to my day.

It didn’t matter that Moo
sometimes stayed asleep in her car seat, or started scrambling off as soon as
she could roll over. What was important was that I was building strong
friendships already, seeing other mothers during the difficult early days.

That’s one of the greatest
rewards of baby groups – being able to support and gain support from other mums
when you need it.

That and learning how to
help your baby bring up wind, of course!

Next
steps – Finding the right class

Once I became confident
going to classes alone, I decided to try a few different ones – outdoor fitness
sessions (admittedly more for me), sling dancing, music, swimming, baby
gymnastics. You name it, we tried it!

But it took a while before
we settled on the right ones for us. I soon discovered that it’s not just about
whether you and your child like the class, it’s also about which ones fit into
your routine.

So many were at the wrong
time, too far away so she’d be sleeping on the way back (which was a good or
bad thing depending on how many naps she was having), too expensive, or meant
you had to wrestle with the car seat too many times in one day – something that
often clinched the deal.

Also, I didn’t quite
appreciate in my dreamy carefree days of maternity leave that our needs would change over the months.
So if a class was at the right time in June, come August when Moo had dropped a
nap and was weaning, it’d fall at the worst possible point during the day.

When this happened, I just
learned to roll with it and enjoy the groups that did fit in with us. It wasn’t
until my baby girl was about six/seven months old and was on a steady two naps
and three meals a day that we had a good routine and could settle into classes
for long stretches of time.

Although this meant we
constantly had to change classes, we also got to make lots of friends, try many
new things and find groups we both really loved!

Getting
out of your comfort zone and making friends

The main reason for new
mothers to come to groups is also one of the biggest things to turn them off –
having to socialise.

I relished the opportunity
to go out, see new faces, apply a bit of make-up (when possible!), and
sometimes wipe away tears and put my ‘brave face’ on just to make me feel a bit
stronger.

But I also had those days
when I didn’t want to talk to strangers or pretend I’d had a stress-free
morning, and I was only there because it was easier to have someone else sing
to Moo for an hour than me having to do it… again.

Despite the fact it can be
difficult to put your exhaustion to one side and cheerfully talk to people you
don’t know, it’s well worth it. You soon realise you’re in the same boat –
which for first-time mums is such a
relief – and even laughing about some of the more stressful moments can make
you feel better.

Now
a toddler group pro

All in all, I achieved what
I intended to with our baby groups. We tried a lot, disliked a few and settled
on a handful we love, so much so that we still go to them now Moo is a
fully-fledged toddler!

But best of all, I’ve made
some fabulous friends who don’t care if I’ve got traces of dry shampoo in my
dark brown hair, sick on my shoulder, or a toddler who’s trying my patience,
simply because they’ve been there since the very beginning of my baby’s life.

Twas
the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

Christmas is a special time of the year for
parents and an even more magical one for babies. The Christmas tree, presents,
shiny decorations, colourful lights, smells, tastes and sounds make Christmas
Day a complete sensory delight. Unfortunately, the celebrations can be both
exhausting and stressful, so it is important to keep in mind that your baby
still needs your love and warmth and the security of a familiar routine. It is
also worth considering the safety aspects of anything that can be harmful to
your baby.

Here
are 10 top tips to ensure that your baby enjoys the celebrations:

Cuddles

Christmas
provides the perfect excuse for relatives and friends to have fun
together. To ensure that your baby does not become too overwhelmed from the
excitement, limit guests to family and close friends (if possible). If they
want to hold or play with your baby, keep the changeovers to a minimum and make
sure you are available for a cuddle when needed. Nothing is more important to
your baby’s emotional well-being than your reassuring presence.

Routine

Make
your baby’s first Christmas as enjoyable as possible by keeping his or her
routine the same. Too much change can raise your baby’s stress levels. To avoid
emotional insecurity, give presents when your baby is alert and ready to play
and stick to the normal schedule for eating and sleeping. If you are nursing
your baby, find a quiet place away from the action. Both of you will appreciate
the chance to relax and spend some peaceful time together.

Comforter

Christmas
Day provides a wealth of sensory stimulation for your baby, but look out for
signs of over stimulation and tiredness. Too much excitement can make your baby
grumpy or miserable. A favourite blanket or toy can provide the emotional
comfort and security that your baby needs, but stay close by to provide a
reassuring touch.

Toys

Age
and stage appropriate toys will stimulate your baby’s senses and offer a wealth
of learning opportunities for discovery and exploration. Black and white
objects, bright, colourful toys that make soft, gentle sounds will stimulate
the interest of a newborn or very young baby. Favourite toys for babies aged 3
to 6 months include objects that can be brought to the mouth and play gyms that
can be biffed and kicked. From 6 to 9 months of age, pop-up toys, musical
instruments, tea sets and activity centres with buttons to press will provide an endless source of amusement.
Large plastic bricks, wooden puzzles with handles, shape sorters, drums
and push along toys are fun and educational for babies aged 9 to 12 months.
However, giving your baby too many toys on Christmas Day can be overwhelming.
Limit the number of toys to one or two at any one time to maintain interest. If
your baby becomes irritable, take a break.

Books

Books
are one of the best toys for babies and it is never too early to introduce
them. Books that contain textured or sparkly materials, large, brightly
coloured pictures and hide-and-seek surprises encourage adult interaction and make
great Christmas presents. Snuggling up close and talking about the pictures is
a wonderful way to introduce new words and sounds. For relatives or friends who
find it difficult to know what to say to your baby, reading a story makes
talking much easier.

Creative presents

Creative
presents can brighten up your baby's first Christmas. A treasure basket
containing interesting objects or a cardboard box filled with paper or fabric
offers endless learning possibilities. However, safety is an important
consideration. Christmas tags with sharp edges, long ribbons and homemade
creations that contain small parts can present a serious hazard. Never give
plastic wrap or Styrofoam products to your baby. If swallowed, they may adhere
to the lining of the gut causing blockage or infection. Toys designed for older
children such as electronic games and singing Christmas cards may contain magnets
or batteries, which if ingested, can adhere to internal tissues or leak
dangerous chemicals. Always err on the side of safety and put the item out of
reach.

Games

Play
with relatives and friends can be very enriching for your baby on Christmas
Day. For example, they can show your baby how a new toy works, or get involved
in turn-taking activities such as rolling a ball back and forth. Time-honoured
games such as peek-a-boo, blowing ‘raspberries’ and being tickled with a soft
brush are lovely ways to stimulate smiles and giggles. Adult interaction is
vital for healthy social and emotional development because it spells love and
warmth, and because it shows your baby that he or she is fun to be with.

Smells

Pine
needles, scented potpourri, cinnamon, spices, herbs and Christmas cooking
smells offer your baby a multi-sensory experience and may be associated with
fond memories in years to come. Good smells can enhance your baby’s mood and
behaviour, but it will be trial and error finding out which ones appeal the
most. Your baby’s facial expressions should indicate if one scent is preferred
to another. Avoid essential oils, since these may contain a high phenol content,
which can irritate your baby’s skin. Other scents that can cause an allergic
reaction include Arum lilies, mustard and horseradish.

Decorations

Babies
are very attracted to coloured lights, shiny decorations, tinsel and glitter.
All these things will stimulate your baby’s senses and accelerate learning. Again,
safety is all-important. Putting presents under the Christmas tree provides a
tactile experience for your baby, but place gifts of perfume and aftershave out
of reach. They may contain chemicals that could be harmful if swallowed. Your
baby will love the shiny decorations, but make sure that they are shatterproof
and do not present a choking hazard. Avoid using mistletoe or holly as
decorations. Ingested berries can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea and
drowsiness. Use low voltage LED tree lights that meet current safety standards
or better still, use LED battery-operated fairy lights, which do not get hot.
The best option is to pick your baby up and look at the Christmas tree together
from a safe distance. This will help your baby to feel a part of what is going
on.

At the end of a busy day

Christmas
carols, songs and music bring warmth and happiness to Christmas Day and they
set the tone for a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Music is one of most
beneficial learning resources for your baby and its effect on intellectual
development is far-reaching. Music can also help your baby to relax and drift
into peaceful sleep at the end of a busy day. There is nothing more important
to your baby than snuggling up in your arms and hearing you sing a favourite
lullaby. This is the best way to end a wonderful Christmas Day!

In the Western world, Christmas Day is generally celebrated
on 25 December. Some historians believe the date was chosen to correspond with
the Roman winter solstice or the birthday of the Persian god Mithras, who was
born in a cave on 25 December long before the appearance of Christianity.

Many traditions, such as the giving of presents, are linked
to the Nativity. Pagan traditions, such as decorating the home with evergreen,
were adopted by early Christians to celebrate Christmas. Non-Christian
traditions, such as crackers and cards, were added much later.

Read on to find out more……..

1. Cards

The first Christmas card was produced in 1846 by Sir Henry
Cole, director of the Victoria and Albert museum. With the introduction of the
’halfpenny post’ in 1870, Christmas cards were produced for the mass market.

2. Carols

It is thought that Saint Francis of Assisi brought carols
into the church during Midnight Mass in Italy in 1223. However carols did not
become Christmas songs until the 16th century. The custom of carol-singing in
the streets dates mainly from the 19th century.

3. Crackers

Christmas crackers were invented by an enterprising baker,
in the late 19th century. To encourage children to have a tug-of-war over his
confectionery, sweets were wrapped in coloured papers, which contained a
miniature explosive charge. Miniature toys, riddles and hats were incorporated
later on.

4. Christmas
pudding

The Christmas pudding originated in Roman times as a mix of
meat and vegetables. In medieval times, the savoury content was replaced by 13
ingredients, which included dried fruit (known as plums), sugar and spices,
which represented Jesus and the 12 Apostles. To honour the Wise Men, every
family member stirred the ingredients from east to west. Christmas pudding in
its current form was introduced to the table by Prince Albert.

5. Christmas
star

Astronomers know that there was no supernova star at the
possible time of Jesus’s birth. However, in 6 BC the planets Mars, Jupiter and
Saturn were close enough to form a triangle in the group of stars known as
Pisces. If the Wise Men had studied the stars and planets, they would have
interpreted the event as a great sign.

6. Christmas
tree

The Christmas tree originated in Germany and was associated
with a legend about a Devon monk (Saint Boniface), who used its triangular
shape to describe the Holy Trinity.

The first decorated tree appeared in Riga (Latvia) in 1510
and was strewn with paper flowers and then burnt on a bonfire as part of a
religious ceremony. In the 16th century, Martin Luther decorated a small fir
tree with candles to show his children how the stars twinkled in the night. In
the 18th century, Christmas trees arrived in England with the Georgian kings,
but they did not become popular until the Victorian era. After Victoria’s
death, Christmas trees became traditional in almost every British and American
household.

7. Evergreens

In the pre-Christian era, homes were decorated with
evergreens to ward off evil spirits, witches and disease and to encourage the
return of Saturn, the harvest god.

The practice of removing greenery from the home on the
twelfth night of Christmas (5 January) originated from the belief that tree
spirits were released back into the countryside to regenerate the vegetation.
According to superstition, it is unlucky to leave decorations in the home after
the twelfth night.

8. Gifts

The giving and receiving of gifts originated in ancient
Rome, and northern Europe, as part of the year-end celebrations, but started in
earnest in the late 1800s. Today, the exchanging of presents is central to most
cultures.

In the Western world, the traditional time for giving
presents is Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However, in some countries, gifts
are exchanged on 6 December, which is Saint Nicholas Day.

9. Holly

The Druids believed that holly protected the home from evil spirits.
In later times, holly was placed around beehives to encourage bees to hum in
the honour of baby Jesus. Decking the halls with ‘boughs of holly’ was thought
to cure coughs and other ailments. Today, the plant signifies peace and joy.

10. Mince pies

Mince pies filled with meat, fruit and spices were brought
from the Middle East in the 13th century by European crusaders. During the
English Civil War, Cromwell banned them as indulgent foods, but they were later
restored by the English monarchy in 1660. In the Victorian era, mince pies
became sweeter. They have continued to be a popular Christmas tradition ever
since.

11. Mistletoe

Mistletoe was revered by the Druids, who used a gold sickle
to cut it from an oak tree. The plant was hung in homes to ward off evil
spirits. In later times, kissing under the mistletoe signified friendship and
goodwill.

12. Saint
Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who lived in Myra
(near the city of Anatolia in present-day Turkey) in the 4th century. After his
death, Saint Nicholas became best known as the protector of small children. In
many countries, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated as a feast for children and
without any religious overtones.

13. Santa Claus

In 1868, Thomas Nast combined Saint Nicholas with a
merry-making medieval figure to create the traditional image of Santa. Although
an American invention, similar likenesses also evolved in France and Italy. The
traditional sleigh and reindeers came from Scandinavian Christmas myths.

In many Latin American countries, Santa makes the toys, but
they are delivered to the children’s homes by Baby Jesus. This helps to
reconcile religious beliefs with modern ones.

14. Santa’s
home

Santa’s residence was originally established at the North
Pole following the publication of a sketch in ‘Harper’s Weekly’ in 1886, which
showed two children tracing his journey from the North Pole to the United
States. However, in 1952 newspapers revealed that he actually lived in Finnish
Lapland. Today, Santa receives thousands of letters from children all over the
world.

15. Stockings

The Christmas stocking can be traced to legends about Saint
Nicholas. One version tells of three sisters who could not marry because they
were so poor. Saint Nicholas took pity on them and threw gold coins down the
chimney. The coins landed in stockings hung over the embers to dry.

The first mention of stockings being hung by the chimney was
made by Clement Moore in his story about a visit from Saint Nicholas.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that Saint Nicolas soon would be there.

Today, children all over the world hang up their stockings
in the hope that they will be filled with small gifts while they sleep.

16. Twelve Days
of Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas date back to the pagan feast of
Yuletide, which lasted 12 days. The religious significance lies in the story of
the Wise Men who arrived from the East with their gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh to attend the infant Jesus on the 12th day, which is traditionally 5
January.

Throughout history, celebrating the birth of Jesus has been
an important part of Christmas. However, the Christmas that we celebrate today
is largely a secular event that contains Christian, pagan and cultural
elements. Whatever beliefs are held, Christmas is a special time for children
and for families, who will be immersed in it, whether at home, preschool or
church.

I love weddings – from the
excitement waiting for the bride to arrive right through to the last tune at
the end of the night, sung like an anthem by the tipsy guests encircling the
happy couple. But it all changed once I got pregnant.

While I still look forward to
the next nuptial when I can raise my glass to happy newlyweds and wipe a tear
after the father-of-the-bride’s speech, I know deep down that weddings won’t be
the same for a long, long time.

No booze rules

I didn’t have any weddings to go
to while I was expecting *Moo, which was a good thing really as being pregnant
at a wedding really doesn’t sound like my cup of tea.

Firstly, where’s the fun in
swapping a glass of fizz for an orange juice, or toasting the couple with a plain
old glass of water?

And when everyone else is
crooning to Unchained Melody or rocking their air guitars to Don’t Stop
Believing, I’m sure to the sober pregnant lady in the corner, they (*we*) just
look plain silly. I never want to see this from her perspective, as looking silly
(particularly when piling on costumes in a photobooth) is exactly what I love
about weddings.

To be honest, even after the
baby’s born, if you’re breastfeeding, you still can’t drink much!

Pumping away

This brings me on to just one of
the struggles of attending a wedding when you’ve got a young baby – the
constant pumping game. Now, I don’t want to sound bitter as I know I was very
fortunate in being able to breastfeed when many other mums haven’t been able
to.

However, for all those ladies
who have suffered with painful, leaking, engorged boobs when they’ve gone just
a few hours without feeding their baby, I know exactly how you feel.

When we left Moo at six months
old for a wedding one weekend, I expressed 108 ounces of milk – that’s over
three litres!

This also meant I had to pump
the equivalent amount of breast milk in the months leading up to the wedding,
so my mother had enough to give her in our absence. Talk about feeling like a
cow…

And for anyone who hasn’t tried,
pumping isn’t actually the easiest thing to do. It can take over an hour to
empty both breasts, which meant I missed out on so much of the wedding, including
the arrival of the bride and groom, the beginning of the first dance and,
really disappointingly, all the delicious canapés.

What’s more, my poor, loving
husband had to deliver filled breast milk bags to reception after every pump so
they could store it in their fridge. Not the glamorous days of weddings that we
remember!

Breastfeeding at a wedding

The alternative is to bring your
baby with you – which I also have experience of. The one thing that was really
difficult was finding somewhere to feed Moo every three hours. I was quite
happy to breastfeed under my tried and trusted bib, but you still need
somewhere to sit and sprawl your belongings out.

When everyone’s chatting away standing
on the lawn in their heels sipping Bellinis, this isn’t really the best
environment for feeding a child, especially one that keeps trying to whip the
bib away from her face to see what’s going on.

Instead, the only place I could
find that was easiest for both of us to feed was the Ladies, and even then
there were no seats, so I just walked around the room carrying her as she
happily suckled away.

The stress didn’t end there
though as, unfortunately, I forgot to put my breast pads in, so one side of my pretty
dress got completely soaked in milk while she enjoyed her afternoon snack. Nice.

Looking after a toddler

As babies get older, at least
you don’t have to worry about feeding. However, that’s when you have to look
after a toddler who’s running around, smushing food into their beautiful cream
satin dress, and has the potential to throw a tantrum AT ANY MINUTE!

Even when you come prepared for
all eventualities, it’s never easy to enjoy yourself when your mind is focused
on your little one.

And at the last wedding we went
to, I could be seen (and photographed) crawling on the dining room floor
chasing my 18-month-old who thought it would be hilarious to go AWOL during the
speeches.

Incidentally, she ended up
playing hide and seek behind the top table throughout the father-of-the-bride’s
emotional dialogue, which she obviously thought was hysterical. I’m somewhat
used to the playful tendencies of a toddler and the unglamorous acts of
motherhood now, but who knows what the other guests made of her mid-afternoon
game?

It was only when we dropped her
off at home with a babysitter and headed back for the evening do that we
finally got to relax, and enjoy a stress-free glass of fizz.

So whether you’re chasing your
little ones on your hands and knees, trying to get humus out of your hair,
wishing you had had time to do your make-up properly, or hiding the
powdery-white stain of milk from your dress, that’s when you’ll realise
weddings aren’t what they used to be.

My advice? Give yourself a childfree
night and get a babysitter! And try to forget about the impending 6am rise…